Cadres of the CPN (Maoist) allegedly attempted to attack elder brother of slain capital-based businessman Ram Hari Shrestha at Manthali in Ramechap district, Friday night.
Gyan Kumar Shrestha, who is also coordinator of struggle committee formed to protest Shrestha's murder, said over the phone from Manthali that dozens of Maoist cadres led by "local goon" Bimal Dhungel tried to harm him at the home of a friend where he was staying.
Gyan Kumar -- along with Ramila, widow of the slain businessman -- has been active in leading the struggle against the Maoists.
"Police rescued me as dozens of Maoist cadres had encircled the house, making threats," said Gyan Kumar, adding that the same group of Maoists had been following him for the last few days.
Gyan Kumar said that he has been changing his lodgings every day and he has been forced to go underground as he fears for his life. "At present, I am unable to move about outside and come to Kathmandu without guarantee for my security," he said.
According to a statement issued in the capital by the struggle committee -- and signed by Ramila also -- the Maoists have been threatening him over the phone, saying that he would also meet the same tragic fate as his brother Ram Hari. Ram Hari was abducted and killed by Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) men inside Shaktikhor cantonment in Chitwan. PLA commander Kali Bahadur Kham Magar, whom the Shrestha family has accused of the killing, is still free. The family has also accused the Maoist leadership, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal, of protecting the PLA commander.
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